Fadnavis' team: Portfolios allocated; BJP retains key departments

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday allocated portfolios to the twenty-member council of ministers, including 10 of the Shiv Sena, who were inducted into his expanded cabinet.

Subhash Desai of the Shiv Sena, a close confidante of Uddhav Thackeray, was alloted the Industries portfolio, previously held by BJP leader Prakash Mehta.

Sena leader Diwakar Raote, currently a member of legislative council and former Mumbai Mayor, has been given the Transport portfolio.

Eknath Shinde of Sena, a third time MLA and Leader of Opposition till Friday will hold the charge of Public Works (including Public Undertakings) in the state ministry.

Sena leader Dr Deepak Sawant, who is currently an MLC, has been alloted Public Health and Family Welfare department. Ramdas Kadam of Sena, an MLC, and a former LoP, has been made in-charge of Environment portfolio.

Girish Mahajan, fifth term BJP MLA from Jamner in Jalgaon will hold charge of Water Resources.Chandrashekhar Bawankule of BJP, who is a third term MLA from Kamptee in Vidarbha has been alloted Energy, New and Renewable Energy portfolio.

BJP leader Babanrao Lonikar, a third time MLA and head of party's Jalna district unit will hold charge of Water Supply and Sanitation portfolios.

Rajkumar Badole, a second term MLA from Arjuni Morgaon in Bhandara and a staunch supporter of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will be in-charge of Social Justice and Special Assistance portfolio.

Deepak Kesarkar, a former NCP MLA who switched loyalties to the Shiv Sena ahead of the Lok Sabha polls will be MoS for Finance and Rural Development.

Ravindra Waikar of Sena, a third term MLA from Jogeshwari here will be MoS for Housing, Higher and Technical Education. Sanjay Rathod, who is Yavatmal district president of Shiv Sena and a third term MLA from Digras has been made MoS for Revenue department.

Vijay Shivtare of Shiv Sena who represents Purandar Assembly seat and is a second term MLA, will be MoS for Water Resources and Water Conservation department.

Dada Bhuse of Sena, who is a third term MLA from Malegaon will be Mos for Co-operation department. Ram Shinde, a BJP MLA from Karjat Jamkhed seat will be MoS for Home (Rural), Marketing, Public Health and Tourism.

Vijay Deshmukh of BJP, who is third term MLA from North Solapur seat will be MoS for Public Works (Public Undertakings), Transport, Labour and Textiles.

Raje Ambrishrao Atram of BJP, who won from Aheri, will be MoS for Tribal Development. Dr Ranjit Patil, an MLC who represents Amravati graduates constituency will be MoS for Home (Urban), Urban Development, General Administration, Law and Judiciary and Parliamentary Affairs.

Pravin Pote of BJP will be MoS for Industries and Mining, Environment, Public Works (excluding public undertaking).